Making the Switch as a K-5 Teacher: Part 2

Continuing our previous article, here is Part 2 of our “Making the Switch” series! In this part, we share a closer look into the transition and onboarding experience at Miaplaza and how we help new team members thrive.?

From understanding the value of their teaching skills to embracing the flexibility and creativity of their new roles, our K-5 developers share valuable insights to help you feel more confident about making the leap!

What is something you wish you knew in the transitional period??

• “That my skill set as a teacher is so important. A lot of roles that are similar to this one are focused on curriculum development without an emphasis on students, more-so on the content knowledge and tech-based development. But bringing my classroom experience to this work adds a lot to the lessons.”
• “No one expects you to understand everything or have all of the answers. We all have our strengths, and it is okay to lean on others to help support you as you work new educational 'muscles,' so to speak.”
• “Starting a new job IS starting a new job. After teaching for so long I forgot what being new to a role and company is like. You will make mistakes, you will need lots of help, and there will be new challenges and ways you're going to grow. Luckily at Mia we have AMAZING people who help you every step of the way!”
• “I don't need to work an 8 to 5 or 9 to 5. Creativity comes in waves and bursts, which means sometimes, I'm most creative at 10pm - and that's totally okay! I've learned more about myself as a learner and a creator and have realized that my schedule and working hours are often inconsistent, but I have the flexibility to make it work for me.”

What was your onboarding experience like??

• “It was the best onboarding I've ever had at ANY job. I had so much support for every step of the way and guidance in every form – written guides, videos, people to ask, etc.”
• “Honestly, it felt very overwhelming, because I was putting SO much pressure on myself to make it appear like I was transitioning from one career to another without any snags. The truth was, there were a lot of new things that I'd never experienced before that I had to learn, and NO ONE at Miaplaza expected me to understand them on day one... except for me. I was so used to constantly being "on" all the time in the classroom, that I didn't know how to allow myself to become the learner again instead of the teacher. Now, I am learning how to give myself as much grace as I give others, ask for support and advice when necessary, and feel proud of all that I have accomplished and will accomplish as I continue my journey in the Miaplaza family.”
• “The onboarding was very thorough and so helpful! I was able to learn aspects of the role by going through real scenarios and trying things out, exploring the website and project management website we use in low-stake ways knowing I wasn't going to mess anyone's work up. I also was able to speak with content creators, actors, production team members and more to get a feel for not only the role but even work-from-home tips. The daily meeting with my manager was always very helpful too, because I knew I was never going to have a question go unanswered too long!”
• “I felt very supported during onboarding. I worked closely with [the management team] with regular check-ins and felt like I was learning a lot and developing all the skills I needed to be successful with my job. I was actually onboarding for a different subject than what I'd been hired for, but there was an immediate need and I was happy to help. I struggled a bit at times with that content, since it wasn't a huge area of expertise, but I felt comfortable reaching out and asking for help in order to help with my efficiency.”

What has been the best part of working at Mia??

• “Being a part of a community of passionate educators. Everyone comes to work with student engagement being their number 1 goal, which is so inspiring.”
• “The company culture! The feedback loop goes in both directions -- upper management wants feedback just as often as they provide it, which creates a culture that we all have something we can learn from one another.”
• “The reasons I chose Mia are also the best parts of working for Mia; everyone is so incredibly nice and helpful, willing to support or lend a hand no matter their job description on paper. I learn and grow each time I interact with an employee from a peer up through higher levels of management and even HR. I'm able to be a mom FULLY, given the flexible hours and ability to be there for them at school events, if they need to be picked up, anything. The balance of my work and my life could never have been what it is now if I stayed in the classroom.”
• “The flexibility, trust, creativity, and collaboration are by far the best parts about working at Mia. I love being able to work during times that work best for me and I have the trust of my supervisors that know I'm going to get done what I say I'm going to get done. I've been teaching for over ten years, but this job applies my creativity in ways I'd never experienced in the classroom. I really get to think about the best way to present something and design it in a way that's engaging, educational, and teaches the whole child. We're working on getting more team collaborative opportunities rolling, but I've found I can reach out to anyone with questions or ideas and collaborate regularly with folks in smaller settings.”

If their stories have inspired you, why not consider making the switch yourself? We’re hiring K-5 curriculum developers now!